The National Labour Commission (NLC) has ordered the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to immediately end its ongoing strike and return to work, declaring the industrial action unlawful.
In a directive issued on Tuesday, June 4, 2025, the NLC condemned the GRNMA’s decision to continue its strike despite being formally summoned for mediation.
Healthcare services nationwide have been seriously affected, with hospitals overwhelmed and patients left unattended as nurses and midwives withdraw their services.
The Commission said the GRNMA violated Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which outlines the legal requirements for embarking on a strike.
The GRNMA had issued a notice to the NLC on May 29, 2025, announcing its intention to strike over delays in the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement.
However, the NLC, exercising its authority under Section 138 of the Labour Act, directed the association to suspend all industrial actions, including symbolic protests such as wearing red bands, pending further discussions.
While representatives from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Ministry of Health, andthe Ministry of Finance honored the Commission’s invitation on June 4, the GRNMA failed to appear and went ahead with the strike.
“The Commission declares the industrial action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association as illegal and directs them to call it off with immediate effect,” the Commission stated.
The NLC also directed all GRNMA members to return to their posts without delay and urged the association’s leadership to re-engage the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to address outstanding concerns.
The GRNMA is expected to report back to the NLC on the status of negotiations by June 25, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.
The Commission stressed the essential nature of health services and called on all parties to comply with the law to prevent further disruptions in healthcare delivery.
